Category: Pastoral Letters

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is Risen!

Truly He is Risen!

Greeting you in the season of the Resurrection is such a blessing. We have traveled spiritually, a great distance from the time the Triodion Gospels were first proclaimed. Even in the midst of construction messes and displacements, you were diligent, engaged, and prayerful. Thank you to all who made our services, lectures, retreats, and fellowship uniquely special. Christ has been greatly glorified in His Third Day Rising!!! 

But speaking of construction messes and displacements, I need to share some information with you, concerning the current state of the church’s interior. Starting this weekend:

Sunday School will resume, but the pre-school class will now enter the exterior storage building from the north door, not the west door, as in the past. The interior of that space has been reallocated with the installation of the racking system. Thank you to Ron Steele for quickly setting up a new Sunday School classroom in the building. 

Phase II of the project has reached a new milestone. The new narthex, exo-narthex (foyer), hallways, office, bookstore, bathrooms, and three classrooms are taped and ready for the painting contractors to begin their work. Therefore, there will be no access through that space until further notice, other than coming in the front door and going directly into the church. For practical reasons, we decided not to divert everyone through the single door on the north side of the building. But when you come into the building, pretend your mom is there telling you, “Don’t touch anything!”  

The current narthex is set up just inside the sanctuary, and access to restrooms and fellowship will be through the sliding barn doors at the back of the church. This will be slightly distracting for a couple weeks, but of course, the results of these slight inconveniences will be well worth it!

I should also give you an update on the finishing touches to the exterior of the building. The decorative grills for the bell tower windows have arrived. They will be installed in the coming weeks. The exterior lighting has begun its transformation. New, wall mounted floodlights, that are brighter, more efficient, and with a more attractive profile have been added to the north face of the building and have replaced the older units on the western face of the building. The accent lights have been installed and are operational in front of the exterior mosaic. The image of St. Anna and her daughter, the Theotokos, walking in their garden is now beautifully lit at nighttime. The accent lighting on the faces, and levels of the bell tower are currently being installed, and I believe all rain gutters are finished on the bell tower, as well. 

New handicap parking spaces will be permanently designated in the entire front of the building. The new spaces have been redrawn to comply with code and will be painted to reflect these changes. Thank you to all, who observed our temporary designation of the space during Holy Week and Paschal services. Thank you to Chuck Karpakis who made the temporary signs. When the exterior details of the building are complete, the current handicap signs will be removed from the side of the building, along with the backlit welcome sign. All touch up exterior painting will take place at that time.

Please know that the next phase of the project, the sanctuary, last two classrooms, utility space and kitchen are still scheduled to begin in May. All said and done, please pray that we will be in our new church in December. And my Beloved in the Lord, December is NOT that far off. Remember how quickly Pascha emerged. 

Architect James Derby, General Contractor Bill Souvall, and President Steve Simos are keeping everything on track, on budget and on target. God bless them!

Lastly, I would like to express my appreciation to the St. Anna Philoptochos for providing the red eggs for Paschal Services, and for cleaning the church before Holy Week, and for really, really cleaning the church during Bright Week. Thank you to the Men’s Ministry Team for keeping us safe and clutter free. Thank you to the church musicians, myrrh bearers, altar boys, fellow clergy, and ushers who made services so lovely.  That is allot of effort on the part of many people. And to the parish council, together with Gerard and Klea Gallegos, thank you and your crew for hosting a spectacular Anastasi Dinner following the Resurrection Service and Divine Liturgy. 

God Bless you in these days of Resurrection. Find hope in the empty Tomb. Find life in the power of God. Find joy in His self-emptying sacrifice. Find Him in everything!

With Much Love in our Triumphant Lord,

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter

Good Afternoon, Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Well, we’ve nearly reached the halfway point of Great Lent, and it is my solemn prayer that you have been pleased with your growth and commitment for these past three weeks. There is no other time in the calendar year which can yield so many spiritual fruits. I also trust that your reading of the book, “Pilgrimage to Pascha” has given you daily doses of inspiration and clarity. 

As I am sure many of you have noticed, the participation in this year’s Lenten Services have increased dramatically. Especially Wednesday night Presanctified Liturgies, dinners and lectures. There were more than 70 people in attendance for the Liturgy and to hear Mark Papanikolas speak. Thank you to all who are so enthusiastically praying with us during Great Lent!

But at this point, I’d like us to turn our Lenten attention specifically to our parish youth. Though some dedicated young people have certainly been present at many of the services, especially on Friday evenings with our youth readers, there are now some very specific activities that are geared toward their Lenten experiences. I ask and implore you all to have your children, grandchildren and godchildren with us.

This Wednesday evening’s potluck dinner will be sponsored by our parish Sunday School, GOYA and JOY. Calling all Kids! Please come to Presanctified this week at 6:00 pm. Sunday School teacher, Elaina Simos will be our speaker, and I hope we can all turn out to hear her message, directed to and for our youth. 

The weekend of March 31 to April 2 will be our first stay-away retreat for our young people since before the Pandemic. The GOYA Lenten Retreat, entitled, “I am a “______” of God”” will challenge our youth to explore their relationships with Him and others. We have planned an outstanding weekend of fun activities, inspiring sessions, worship services and fellowship. Please see the attached flyer for more information. 

On Friday, April 14, Great and Holy Friday, we will offer our annual Youth Holy Friday Retreat, from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm. Each year I prepare an excuse letter that can be given to teachers that will excuse our children from classes. Holy Friday is the single most important weekday in the entire year, please share in our commitment to our youth. Last year, over 60 kids between kindergarten and 12 grade participated. This year’s Retreat is full of powerful imagery, hands-on creations, and critical lessons, designed to help our children appreciate the fullness of Christ’s love for them. I have also attached this retreat flyer for more information. 

Lastly, be on the lookout for Altar Boy and Myrrh Bearer schedules – two ways for our young people to be liturgically involved in the services of Holy Week and Pascha.

Wow. There you have it. There is a lot going on this time of year for the spiritual benefit of our beautiful young people. Please continue to pray for them, serve them, and guide them. 

With Much Love in XC, 

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we are in the second week of the Triodion, the preparatory period which proceeds Great Lent, I would like to call to mind a few reminders and announcements concerning the Lenten Schedule of Services and Programs during this most sacred season. I am sending the following information from now, so that you can make proper arrangements and CLEAR your Lenten Calendar from secular distractions. 

Firstly, as we have done in the past, St. Anna’s has purchased a copy of a Lenten Resource for each family in our parish. This is done so that every household can commit to a process of prayer, study, inspiration, ascetic challenge and commitment during this most sacred time of growth. This year I have chosen the lovely devotional, Pilgrimage to Pascha, giving every family and individual a daily opportunity to engage their faith and develop a deeper understanding of Lenten themes, practices and purposes. The books will arrive within the next couple of weeks and will be distributed following the Divine Liturgy within the next two weeks, in time for you to include them in your Lenten practice. Please take advantage of this gracious and blessed opportunity.

As you can see in the attached Flyer, the entire Lenten Schedule is complete. Please keep in mind, that Monday Great Compline Services and Wednesday Evening Presanctified Liturgy Services will begin at 6:00 pm. Salutations and the Akathist Hymn will remain at 7:00 pm. 

We will continue our beloved practice of potluck dinners, sponsored by the various ministry groups following Presanctified Liturgies. Speakers have also been scheduled each week during the dinners. The lineup is set and you will not be disappointed. I love each of the speakers and what they have to share. I will send the list of speakers and ministry groups responsible for each week in the near future. You know how I love to make flyers…

Also, and this is very important, please make plans to be with us during the first weekend of Lent, March 3-5 for the Hierarchical Visit of Bishop Spyridon of Amastris. We are incredibly blessed to have His Grace with us from Friday Evening Salutations to the Sunday of Orthodoxy Divine Liturgy. His Retreat will be held on Saturday. His Grace gave a retreat at Prophet Elias a number of years ago (then, known as Fr. Spencer Kezios) and was received very enthusiastically. I expect no less of a successful Retreat from him, more than a decade later. Let’s have a wonderful showing of participation, please.

Lastly, I am finalizing the details of our long-awaited and greatly-missed GOYA Lenten Retreat. We have not taken our kids to a destination, weekend retreat since the Pandemic. I cannot express in words; how grateful I am to resume this practice. Our young people always thoroughly enjoyed their time together, focusing on their relationship with Christ. 

As you can see, there will be no lack of opportunities to grow and thrive in our Orthodox Christian Faith during this year’s services and programming. While we are operating with a full head of steam to transform the interior of our church, I am equally committed to the inner transformation of our souls, minds and hearts. I hope that we can all experience the joys and benefits that only the Season of Great Lent and the practices of the Fast can provide. I remain,

With Much Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I recently had a conversation with a parishioner who was out of town for a couple weeks. He couldn’t believe the progress that’s been made on the interior of the building in that span of time. I told him I can’t believe the progress that’s been made when I come back from lunch! Things are moving and changing quickly these days.

If you take the time to walk through the space this Sunday, nothing is left to the imagination. I have spoken to several people who have had difficulty seeing the vision of our project through architectural floor plans. Now you can literally walk through the spaces in dimensional reality.  The narthex, rooms, hallways, and restrooms are all now clearly defined. If you go back there, please be careful not to trip. Pay special attention to the east wall of the narthex, which is now framed. This is the first evidence of our new sanctuary – its west wall.

Please be aware that I will not be in the office all of next week. I will be in Denver for our Metropolis Clergy Pre-Lenten Retreat. Fr. Elias will be available for pastoral emergencies. God forbid, if you have immediate need of a priest, please contact me, and I will relay the message. 

This Sunday begins the Triodion Period of the Church Calendar. Great Lent is around the corner (February 27th) and we will have much to share and many opportunities for spiritual growth and learning in the coming months. This will be the last Lent, Holy Week and Pascha in our current worship space. A setting that has been temporary but has fulfilled our needs with dignity and has adequately expressed our love for the Savior. Let us prayerfully absorb and appreciate every experience in our present sanctuary, as its use is coming to an end. Ironically, just as Pascha is completing, work to begin construction of the new sanctuary will be underway. 

Enjoy the myriad of blessings which God showers down upon us each day. Even (especially) in our greatest trials and challenges, His grace abounds and sustains. 

With Much Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Forty days after Christ was born He was presented to God in the Jerusalem Temple according to the Mosaic Law. At this time as well His mother Mary underwent the ritual purification and offered the sacrifices as prescribed in the Law. Thus, forty days after Christmas, on February 2nd, the Church celebrates the feast of the presentation called the Meeting (or Presentation or Reception) of the Lord.

The meeting of Christ by the elder Simeon and the prophetess Anna (Lk 2.22–36) is the main event of the feast of Christ’s presentation in the Temple. It was “revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Lk 2.26) and, inspired by the same Spirit, he came to the Temple where he met the new-born Messiah, took Him in his arms and said the words which are now chanted each evening at the end of the Orthodox Vespers service:

Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Thy people Israel.

Luke 2:29-32

At this time as well Simeon predicted that Jesus would be the “sign which is spoken against” and that He would cause “the fall and the rising of many in Israel.” He also foretold Mary’s sufferings because of her son (Luke 22.34–35). Anna also was present and, giving thanks to God “she spoke of Jesus to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Lk 2.38).

In the service of the feast of the Meeting of the Lord, the fact emphasized is that Christ, the Son and Word of God through Whom the world was created, now is held as an infant in Simeon’s hands; this same Son of God, the Giver of the Law, now Himself fulfills the Law, carried in arms as a human child.

Receive him, O Simeon, whom Moses on Mount Sinai beheld in the darkness as the Giver of the Law. Receive him as a babe now obeying the Law. For he it is of whom the Law and the Prophets have spoken, incarnate for our sake and saving mankind. Come let us adore him!

Let the door of heaven open today, for the Eternal Word of the Father, without giving up his divinity, has been incarnate of the Virgin in time. And as a babe of forty days he is voluntarily brought by his mother to the Temple, according to the Law. And the elder Simeon takes him in his arms and cries out: Lord now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, O Lord, who has come to save the human race—glory to Thee!

Vespers of the Feast

The Vespers and Matins of the feast of the Meeting of the Lord are filled with hymns on this theme. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated with the lines from the canticle of Mary forming the prokeimenon and the words of Simeon being the verses for the Alleluia. The gospel readings tell of the meeting, while the Old Testament readings at Vespers refer to the Law of the purification in Leviticus, the vision of Isaiah in the Temple of the Thrice-Holy Lord, and the gift of faith to the Egyptians prophesied by Isaiah when the light of the Lord shall be a “revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2.32).

The celebration of the Meeting of the Lord in the church is not merely a historical commemoration. Inspired by the same Holy Spirit as Simeon, and led by the same Spirit into the Church of the Messiah, the members of the Church also can claim their own “meeting” with the Lord, and so also can witness that they too can “depart in peace” since their eyes have seen the salvation of God in the person of his Christ.

February 2nd is also our parish anniversary of moving into our current building. We purchased our building in October of 2019, and opened the doors for the Sunday Divine Liturgy on February 2, 2020. It was indeed a glorious day. For the benefit of those who were not with us, Metropolitan Isaiah presided over the Orthros Service at our former location of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, and we then processed to our new home for the Liturgy. Everyone gathered in the congregation that morning, carried a liturgical item from the former location to the new.

The day was filled with excitement and anticipation. Excitement for what has happening at the moment, and anticipation of what the building might become. And of course, that anticipation is currently being realized. In fact, from the moment we received possession of the space, some project or matter of improvement has continually taken place. Large or small, noticed or subtle, improvements efforts have been unceasing. 

The Lord’s Presentation to the Temple will forever coincide with our presentation into our temple. Our parish enjoys so many historical and spiritual connections to the (literal) family prayers and rituals of Jesus and His ancestors. Let us continually strive to attain a worthiness and favor before God. 

 With Much Love in XC,

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter

No one is going to tell you that you will be condemned to everlasting punishment for missing divine services on a Great Feast or on a (Weekday Service). However, as Orthodox Christians attending these services is something we should want to do, something we should want to share with God and our brothers and sisters in Christ, something we should feel a desire and a pleasure in taking part in. And taking part in these services, being mystically present at the events commemorated as we stand in the parish church, is something that elevates us spiritually.

Fr. Michael Shanbour

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I pray that your week has been uplifting and all is well in your homes and in your lives. Last weekend, some of our parish youth traveled to Tulsa, OK to participate in our Metropolis Basketball Tournament. Even though the tournament, like many aspects of our lives, is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, it is still the largest, single gathering of the entire Metropolis of Denver, with over 650 registrants. Our kids represented our parish well, not only winning their division of play, but especially as mature and exemplary young people, on and off the court.

We returned to Salt Lake City on Monday afternoon. And after a long and exhausting weekend filled with late-night activities and early-morning starts, I looked forward to the two Weekday Divine Liturgies that were to take place the following two days: The Feast of St. Anthony the Great on Tuesday, January 17th and the Feast of St. Athanasios the Great on Wednesday, January 18th. Though both divine services were lovely and filled with God’s grace, I could not help but notice a trend that has been settling in at our St. Anna parish. 

The gradual, but apparent decline of participants at weekday services has been on my mind and heart for quite some time. We can’t blame COVID for this emerging, bad habit. In fact, when we celebrated a fixed, Seniors Liturgy during the pandemic, it was not uncommon to share the Eucharist with 30 to 50 people. There were not even 30 people at Theophany, one of the Primary Feasts of the Church. 

I am positive that there are many reasons why church may not seem important during the week. And to be sure, the world today will tell you, that if, IF, you go to church at all, it should be relegated to Sunday mornings. Our schedules are busy. Our lives are packed. Our calendars are full. Of course, many of us work during the weekday mornings and it may not be possible to attend. But I am praying diligently that a malaise or spiritual laziness is not creeping in, upon us. 

There are many measures of a thriving Christian Community. And there is no doubt that, thankfully, St. Anna’s is able to check most of those boxes. But let’s be very real in understanding that the worship life of an Orthodox Church is THE LIFE of an Orthodox Church. Our souls must pine for the receiving of the Holy Mysteries and run towards any opportunity to partake of Them. Participating as the Body of Christ within the experience of worship is the defining characteristic of our Faith. I would ask each of us to take a proper account, and prayerfully assess our spiritual priorities. Allowing every opportunity for God’s grace to shower over us and equip us with the necessary strength to combat the challenges of the day can only be helpful and edifying.  

Be mindful that, as we are about to celebrate the Presanctified Liturgy during the Lenten Season, that this very service was created specifically for a people who yearned for a greater liturgical connection to God during the week and were prohibited from receiving Communion during the weekdays of Lent. Would such a service even be devised or seen as necessary in today’s secularly infiltrated world?

I am super grateful for Sunday participation. Visiting priests always comment, and I mean always, on the number of people who come to church on the Lord’s Day. Let’s keep that up, and even strive to do better. But c’mon, folks, the rest of the Saints are praying for your participation in their celebrations, too. 

Equal to the anemic participation in morning services, and this really makes me sad, is the lack of participation in the monthly Paraklesis Services to St. Anna. As a reminder, our parish is blessed to have a Relic of our Matron Saint Anna. And to show our continual love, dedication, affinity, and connection to the Mother of the Mother of God, we gather before her precious Relic each month and chant the Paraklesis Service with her physical presence in our very midst. I fear it is getting lost on us, what a tremendous honor and blessing it is, for a parish to have a Relic of its Patron or Matron Saint for the faithful to continually pray before and venerate. I can’t think of a better time to kickstart a renewal of active worship, than Friday, January 27th at 7:00 pm. Our Matron Saint Anna calls us to a vibrant, active and deliberate relationship with her Grandson and our Lord, Jesus Christ. And Christ compels us to properly acknowledge His Yiayia!

Wow. Even as I type this message, I can see that the tone and tenor is different than anything I’ve ever written to this community. I’ve gone back and asked myself, “Is that to direct?” “Is this to harsh?” I keep answering myself by leaving every word that is pouring out of my heart. As a spiritual father, I desire that our parish be filled with those who love the Lord and who desire to be in His presence at every given opportunity. Is that realistic? Of course not. We are busy. We work. We go to school. But 30 or so people at Theophany, and five or six people consistently (sometimes less) at morning Liturgies and other services is a call to attention that cannot be ignored.

Normally, I suppose I’d ask forgiveness for this kind of rant, and subjecting you to this loving, little nastygram. But rather, I ask forgiveness from God that I have not properly led you in the priorities of an active Orthodox life of worship; not just on Sundays, but on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and Fridays, and Saturdays. 

Thank you for your acceptance of this note in the spirit in which it was written. If and whenever possible, come to church!

With Much Love in XC,

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings from Tulsa, OK, the host city for the Metropolis of Denver GOYA Youth Basketball Tournament. Many of the parishes of our holy Metropolis are represented, and I am happy to say that so are we! Thank you to Coach Gerard Gallegos for leading our boys and preparing them for a weekend of fun competition and fellowship. Please pray for the health and wellness of our kids who are here, playing ball for our St. Anna parish. 

Please know that you will experience a special and exhilarating treat as you approach the church building this Sunday for church. As you can see from the above picture, and perhaps as you may already have seen on social media, the crosses that were blessed in the church last Sunday, are now in their permanent and appropriate place atop the bell tower and exterior mosaic of our St. Anna Church. Special thanks to architect, James Derby for his design of the crosses. The size, style, color, texture, and proportion are perfect. The backdrop of the mountains is the perfect environment for our precious church. God bless you all for your continued support and vision. Believe me, I have showed this picture to countless people here in Tulsa. Their reaction is consistently breathtaking. And these are people who will largely only see it in pictures. You get to worship in this church!

Michael Petrogeorge, the editor of our Weekly Bulletin also has some information that we would like to share regarding the Bulletin.

The pdf version of the weekly bulletin has been updated to include new technological features in the form of hyperlinks.  There are three types of hyperlinks in the .pdf version of the bulletin:

The first type of hyperlinks are icon hyperlinks on the first page of the bulletin.  These hyperlinks will take you directly to our parish Facebook page or YouTube channel  Simply click on the icon in the .pdf and your internet browser should open and take you to the desired location:

The second type of hyperlink is an email hyperlink.  Where an individual email address is referenced in the bulletin, just clink on the email address and the hyperlink should automatically open a blank email automatically addressed to the individual you are trying to email (see example below):

The third type of hyperlinks are embedded text hyperlinks.  These hyperlinks will take you to the or social media page or website referenced in the text of the bulletin announcement. Simply click on the referencing text and the your internet browser should open and take you directly to the referenced webpage or social media page (see example below):

With Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we continue to progress through the Christmas Season, it is to become distracted by the trappings of the secular world. Pressures to find the perfect gift, in the perfect size, at the perfect price is the perfect storm. The Thanksgiving Table is barely cleared when the tree comes in, the lights go out and the bins in your garage are removed. The house is disheveled for a period of time before, in a whirlwind activity, the home is transformed into a winter wonderland.

Our thing: Nutcrackers. We have dozens of Nutcrackers in the house. They have nothing to do with the Nativity, with Bethlehem, with the Incarnation or with the Panaghia. They just mean Christmas, in a general, decorative sort of way. Thankfully, and importantly, the Church will always keep us from veering off into a materialistic abyss. Yes, we, even as a community decorate gingerbread houses and host seasonal gatherings. We also celebrate sacred services and attempt to ground ourselves in the spirit of why these days and weeks are lifted up as unique and exceptional.   

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

To be sure, the most oft quoted and prolifically used line of Scripture. These words set the tone, give the reason, and explain the very Birth of Christ. While the Birth Narratives of the Savior account the details, this Bible verse allows us to understand the “why.” Why was Christ born of this world. Why did God descend from His heavenly throne? Why born of Virgin? Why then, and not now? Why this? Why that?

Why? Because God loves us. He gave us the gift of life. He gave us a present. Not tied with a bow or wrapped in paper. He thought of the perfect gift and freely bestowed it upon us. This is why we imitate Him every stressful December. Please don’t let overly religious zealousness remove the joy of giving something to somebody.

As a parish, you fulfilled the full Wish Lists of 60 children, plus gifted an additional 50 senior citizens. And look at the images of our GOYA kids from last night. They went on little $400.00 shopping spree at our neighborhood Target. This may not seem like allot, but they brought their own money and purchased things that they’d like to have themselves, for their disadvantaged peers. Having them dispatched in a box store for a half hour, shopping for things they might take for granted helps them, well, not take things for granted. It was a beautiful sight.

As we continue our Christmas frenzies, whatever they may be, never lose sight of the ultimate gift and its ultimate purpose. Eternal Life. Life celebrated and witnessed in the Church. To me, the dusty, dirty, trampled upon floor of our church is symbolic imagery of these precious realities.

Not long after winter comes to a close, we will be moving into new classrooms and office spaces. We will create a new bookstore, enjoy new bathrooms and get a glimpse into the near future of our sanctuary, as the exonarthex (entry foyer) and narthex are completed. God’s generosity abounds. As we receive His abundant grace, let us turn around and share it with others. Others we know and others we do not. God knows.

With Much Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony Savas

Protopresbyter

I have perceived much beauty
In the hoarse oaths that kept our courage straight;
Heard music in the silentness of duty;
Found peace where shell-storms spouted reddest spate.
Nevertheless, except you share
With them in hell the sorrowful dark of hell,
Whose world is but the trembling of a flare,
And heaven but as the highway for a shell,
You shall not hear their mirth:
You shall not come to think them well content
By any jest of mine. These men are worth
Your tears: You are not worth their merriment.

Wilfred Owen, The Collected Poems of Wilfred Owen

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings from the Nation’s Capital! 

Any chance to walk the Mall, visit the National Monuments, and tour the shrines of our Federal Government is indeed a blessing and honor that any American Citizen should seize, given the opportunity. Though we are in Maryland for our son’s sporting event, we made sure not to miss introducing him to the stately beauty and enduring dignity that is Washington DC. Indeed, any day in our Nation’s Capital is a blessed day. And to be there on Veteran’s Day transforms the day from national pride to heartfelt thanksgiving. 

As we walked the area of the National Mall, we listened to the speakers, and partook of the events at the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War Memorials. Vets, from all branches and eras walked in groups and stood as individuals, gracefully receiving our “Thanks for your service,” as we negotiated our way through the walkways. We felt a great sense of gratitude, seeing these proud Veterans, knowing that the marble buildings, bronze statues and sculpted artwork, all assembled to symbolize American pride and history, though permanent and stately, are only reflections of the actual people who have stood to defend our Nation. 

Every one of those Veterans has seen violence, experienced fear, heard sounds, smelled smells, and seen horrors that should never have scarred their minds or inflicted their bodies. They were placed in harm’s way, upholding the ideals and principles of our forefathers, so that the freedom and dignity of man could be protected and upheld.

While politicians come and go, governing philosophies rise and fall, red turns to blue, and blue turns to red, our collective Republic stands as one Nation Under God. To be sure, as debates are held and votes are taken in the chambers of Congress, every American should walk the streets of Washington DC and experience all that unites us, rather than dwell on that which divide s us. Abraham Lincoln’s second Inaugural Address reminded his listeners that both sides of the Civil War read the same Bible and prayed to the same God. His call to a collective consciousness is still important today.

It is also the reminder, that God is not forgotten in this great Land. It is here, between these two, blessed shores, where His Name is lifted, cherished, witnessed and glorified. Our St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church community is largely made up, as the children of immigrants. Our parents and grandparents strove to get here, so we could live and thrive here. We should never have to be reminded that their sacrifices and dreams should not be taken for granted. But sometimes we need a slight prodding. A walk through the sights of Washington DC can serve as such a reminder. That walk on Veteran’s Day is that much more vivid and powerful. 

Thank you to my grandparents who immigrated to this country. Specifically, thank you to my Papou Nick Zakis who gained his US Citizenship by serving in the Army. Thank you to my father-in-law, Steve Zoumadakis who served in the Korean War. Thank you to the Veterans of our St. Anna parish, both those living and who have passed. And to all men and women of the US Armed Forces. Bless the memories of those who never made it home and strengthen their families. God bless our incredible country, and every diverse person who calls it home. 

With Much Love in XC, 

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last Spring, our parish, and actually the entire Orthodox world in the United States were treated to an exceptional film, “Man of God,” the story of St. Nectarios of Aegina. His life and ministry as the “Modern Saint” is a guide and inspiration to us all. Let us recall our own, parish history, St. Nectarios was on our short list of names for our church. Since we will celebrate the Divine Liturgy this Wednesday in honor of his Feast Day, I thought it best to reintroduce you to his life today.

Saint Nectarios of Aegina (1 October 1846–8 November 1920), Greek: Άγιος Νεκτάριος Αιγίνης, Metropolitan of Pentapolis and Wonderworker of Aegina, was officially recognized as a Saint by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1961. His Feast Day is celebrated every year on 9 November.

Anastasios Kephalas, later Nectarios, was born on 1 October 1846 in Selymbria (today Silivri, Istanbul) in the Ottoman Empire to a poor family. His parents, Dimos and Maria Kephalas, were pious Christians but not wealthy.

At the age of 14, he moved to Constantinople (Istanbul) to work and further his education. In 1866, at age 20, he moved to the island of Chios to take a teaching post. On November 7, 1876, he became a monk, at age 30, in the Monastery of Nea Moni, for he had long wished to embrace the ascetic life.

Three years after becoming a monk he was ordained a Deacon, taking the name Nectarios. He graduated from the University of Athens in 1885. During his years as a student of the University of Athens he wrote many books, pamphlets, and Bible commentaries.

Following his graduation he went to Alexandria, Egypt, where he was ordained a priest and served the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo. He was consecrated Metropolitan bishop of Pentapolis (an ancient diocese in Cyrenaica, in what is now Libya) by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Sophronios in 1889.

He served as a Bishop in Cairo for one year. Nectarios was very popular with the people, which gave rise to jealousy among his colleagues. They were able to persuade his superior that Nectarios had ambitions to displace the Patriarch. Nectarios was suspended from his post without explanation. He then returned to Greece in 1891, and spent several years as a preacher (1891–1894). He was then director of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School for the education of priests in Athens for fifteen years. He developed many courses of study, and wrote numerous books, while preaching widely throughout Athens.

In 1904, at the request of several nuns, he established Holy Trinity Monastery for them on the island of Aegina.

Nectarios ordained two women as deaconesses in 1911. Up to the 1950s, a few Greek Orthodox nuns also became monastic deaconesses. In 1986, Christodoulos, the metropolitan of Demetrias and later archbishop of Athens and all of Greece, ordained a woman deacon in accordance with the “ritual of St. Nektarios” (the ancient Byzantine text St. Nektarios had used).

In December 1908, at the age of 62, St. Nectarios resigned from his post as school director and withdrew to the Holy Trinity Convent on Aegina, where he lived out the rest of his life as a monk. He wrote, published, preached, and heard confessions. He also tended the gardens, carried stones, and helped with the construction of the monastery buildings that were built with his own funds.

St. Nectarios died on November 8, 1920, at the age of 74, following hospitalization for prostate cancer and two months of treatment. His body was taken to the Holy Trinity Convent, where he was buried by his best friend St Savvas of Kalymnos, who later painted the first icon of St. Nectarios. The funeral of St. Nectarios was attended by multitudes of people from all parts of Greece and Egypt. His anathema was not lifted by the Alexandrian Patriarchate until 1998.

The relics of St. Nectarios were removed from the grave on 2 September 1953. Official recognition of Nectarios as a Saint by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople took place on 20 April 1961. 

Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter